Ribociclib Side Effects
Good morning, Sharing my experience with Ribociclib for early stage BC. (Diagnosis Nov 23, Stage 2B, Grade 2, WLE, Rads and then Letrozole / Ribo / Zometa / monthly zoladex) I had been on the Ribo medication (400mg daily, 21 days on 7 days off) for 5 months when my standard blood tests came back with high liver enzymes. I'd been feeling more tired than usual, but figured this was because I was slowly starting to do more. My wee was very dark, so I figured i wasn't drinking enough water. 2 weeks later (whilst off the ribo) my LFT was even worse. After seeing a gastroenterologist, having a liver ultrasound, MRI, and luckily avoiding a liver biopsy, the conclusion was Drug Induced Liver Injury. An uncommon but known side effect of Ribociclib. This will no longer be part of my treatment regime, and it'll be weeks to months before my liver function is back to normal. I was wiped out for a few weeks. No appetite, nausea, constipation, fatigue - i lost 4kgs in 4 weeks. My med onc has been away and I've been seeing a locum, but when she returns (my next appointment is early November) I'm going to ask if there are any other side effects I should look out for on my other meds. Just when I thought i was doing so well, and now i have to get physically stronger (again) and then mentally get my head around the fact that the Ribo for early stage isn't for me. My BC nurse said 'well, the letrozole is the main one, the ribo was a bonus' and this really concerned me. Significant (but very luckily) reparable liver damage as a 'bonus'? The gift that keeps on giving. Trying to not let this get me down, but boy oh boy. Sharing so that hopefully others can be aware of this rare side effect. Kelly